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Hey all, first post here! Glad to join such a active community. Just bought a '08 Acura TLS and I'm having a real issue with condensation in the passenger headlight. I've read a couple of places that you have to take the front bumper off to get the headlight assembly out, but I'm not really in a position to do that until next month. Was wondering if there was a way I could temporarily fix this? Any input is appreciated! Pics below
your modded headlights doesn't seemed to be sealed tight. Unless you have a cracked lens or the headlight housing is cracked in the back? I believe you have to remove your bumper, no other way around it.
you want to address this problem as soon as possible.
Headlights with water in them as so will have a high chance of burning the ballast if water gets inside (ballast conveniently located under the headlight).
You can try unplugging the DRL bulb and turn signal bulb and leave it in direct sunlight.
You WILL have water mark stains when it dries out, so be sure to clean the inside of the lens when you're resealing them back up.
keep in mind any temporary fix you may try out will result in condensation coming back as the seal is not good.
Last edited by guitarplayer16; Jun 14, 2015 at 10:37 AM.
When you go to reseal it I'd suggest you use a structural sealant. Something with a Polyurethane base, not silicone base sealant. Polyurethane is what they use to glue windshield/back glass on a vehicle with, really good stuff.
Thanks for all the replies guys! Guess I'll have to bite the bullet and take the bumper off. Really didn't want to as I've never resealed or taken apart a headlight assembly. Would it be possible to take it apart with a heat gun and not a oven?
It's possible to do it with a head gun it just takes time, you gotta keep moving back and forth so do you don't melt the plastic, ... i used to do this way with my old car. GP16 help me do my headlights in the oven , so much more easier and faster.
if you dont feel comfortable with a heat gun just use a blower dryer keep in mind just get a flat head and just pry slowly, take your're time
For a temp fix you can drill a small hole in one of the corners, so no one will see, to let it moisture out. This was a common practice on Lexus RX and GS cars with weak seals at the dealer I worked for. When I would tell a customer $695 dollars for a new light, they would ask if there is any other way to fix it.
I think the hood liner on the inside helps to prevent condensation, like a lot, like 99% lot. Since you don't have a hood liner the condensation forms on the inside of the hood and travels down towards the lowest point of the hood, the front, where your headlights are. Why only one headlight? Cause the car is leaning towards that side.
I think the hood liner on the inside helps to prevent condensation, like a lot, like 99% lot. Since you don't have a hood liner the condensation forms on the inside of the hood and travels down towards the lowest point of the hood, the front, where your headlights are. Why only one headlight? Cause the car is leaning towards that side.
Nice theory, but:
1. The car usually leans to the driver side, since the weight of the drivetrain is heavy on that side.
Looks like he's lowered, and if he's on coilovers I assume he would dial the same ride height as the other side.
In the case he's on springs, it will still be lower on the driver side.
2. Hundreds of people have had their hood liner removed, and have modded headlights with no condensation.
3. I've seen countless cars with leaking headlights that still have the hood liner. Bad seal job.
Bad headlight seals happen all the time, either from weathering over time, or immediately from bad re-seal job.
Modded headlights - it's a no brainer why it would have condensation.
Throw stock headlights on it and I guarantee you, hood liner or not, it won't condensate
Last edited by guitarplayer16; Jun 21, 2015 at 10:25 AM.
Also I haven't seen a rubber boot to go over the fog lightbulb connection, not that I have one and depending on the lightbulb installed in there you may have to re-tighten the three screws that holds it in place or else it's just loose making room for more condesation.
Last edited by tk2k6; Jun 21, 2015 at 10:48 AM.
Reason: add more content
Most people remove it because they find it unnecessary, just like how they they remove the plastic engine covers.
The hood liner is mainly to suppress any fire that may happen, though.
If the DRL bulb is loose, yes, tightening the 3 screws would make it tighter, but if it's not loose, there is no reason to do so. The condensation will always be there unless the headlight is sealed properly.
It's a no brainer - the headlights are modded.
It goes without saying the seal isn't as good as factory, and a leaking headlight happens.
